Apple today announced that its entire MacBook Pro line of notebooks now includes the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor and delivers performance that is up to 39 percent faster than the previous generation. All MacBook Pro models now offer double the memory and greater storage capacity than the previous generation, as well as a FireWire 800 port for connecting to high-speed peripherals.

"With an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, greater storage capacity and FireWire 800 connectivity, the new MacBook Pro delivers unprecedented performance and mobility in an incredibly thin and light design," said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "We are thrilled that our notebook sales are growing twice as fast as the overall notebook market, and we hope these new MacBook Pro models continue that success."

Every MacBook Pro features the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB of shared L2 cache, which is up to 39 percent faster than the previous 2.16 GHz MacBook Pro and more than seven times faster than the 1.67 GHz PowerBook G4 running industry standard benchmarks. Apple has enhanced Mac OS X to take advantage of the technology advances from Intel's Core 2 Duo processors, resulting in increased performance in professional applications like Aperture 1.5, Final Cut Pro 5 and Logic Pro 7.

I'm no expert but, given the number of heat and build quality issues that cropped up with the MB and MBPs after launch, I definitely recommend waiting a few weeks and checking posts from early adopters. The Core 2 should generate at least the same amount of heat as the Core and possibly more. When not properly handled, that heat puts extra stress on every other component in the system as well as makes Apple use the term "Notebook" instead of "Laptop." I'd like to see Apple prove that their OEMs' manufacturing and QC processes have improved before I drop upwards of 2 grand.

I'm going to order the entry-level MBP as soon as I can sell my MacBook. The new specs aren't overwhelmingly better, but they are enough to make me want to upgrade. I've also become very frustrated with numerous aspects of my MacBook.